A Barack Birthday

Is It Possible To Celebrate An Occasion Without A Fundraiser?

OBAMA IS CELEBRATING HIS BIRTHDAY WITH FUNDRAISERS

On August 12, Obama Will Host Three Belated "Happy Birthday" Fundraisers In Chicago. "There's a high price to wish President Barack Obama a belated happy birthday in his Chicago home: $40,000. Obama, who turns 51 on Aug. 4, will be celebrated with three 'birthday' fundraisers in Chicago on Aug. 12, including one in his Kenwood home and two at the homes of friends." (Katherine Skiba, "Fundraisers To Allow Donors Hail The Chief And His Birthday," Chicago Tribune, 7/27/12)

First, Obama Raffled A Trip To Chicago For Supporters To Celebrate Obama's Birthday At His Home. "The latest raffle by President Obama's re-election campaign offers a trip to a place few people go. Obama's house on the south side of Chicago. On the president's birthday, no less. A campaign e-mail asks donors, 'Want to celebrate President Obama's birthday with him -- at the Obamas' house in Chicago? Donate $3 or whatever you can to be automatically entered today.' Obama turns 51 on Aug. 4." (David Jackson, "Obama Campaign Raffles Off Visit To His Chicago Home," USA Today, 7/23/12)

Obama's Second Fundraiser Includes A "Birthday Photo Reception Requiring A $5,000 Donation." "The second fundraiser will be at the home of Obama friends Anita Blanchard and Marty Nesbitt at 4:30 p.m. That's a birthday 'photo reception' requiring a $5,000 donation. Blanchard is an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Chicago Medicine. Nesbitt is president and CEO of The Parking Spot, which owns airport parking facilities." (David Jackson, "Obama Campaign Raffles Off Visit To His Chicago Home," USA Today, 7/23/12)

"The Third Fundraiser, A Birthday 'Dessert Reception' Requiring A $1,000 Donation, Will Be At 7 P.M. At The Home Of Barbara Bowman, Mother Of Top Obama Adviser Valerie Jarrett." (David Jackson, "Obama Campaign Raffles Off Visit To His Chicago Home," USA Today, 7/23/12)

"No, It's Not Your Imagination: President Barack Obama Is Spending A Whole Lot Of Time Fundraising, Perhaps More Than Any Incumbent President In History." (Donovan Slack, "Obama's Fundraising Spree," Politico, 6/6/12)

"Compared With His Four Most Recent Predecessors, Obama Is Shattering Records For Time Spent On The Money Trail." (Michael Falcone and Devin Dwyer, "Romney Campaign Outraises Obama By $16.8 Million In May," ABC News, 6/7/12)

Over The Course Of Bush's Entire Reelection Campaign, He Attended A Total Of 97 Fundraisers, 57 Of Which Were For His Reelection Campaign . "According to CBS White House Correspondent Mark Knoller, the unofficial keeper of White House statistics, Bush at this point of his reelection campaign had attended 49 fundraisers. And over Bush's whole reelection campaign, from May 2003-November 2004, he attended a total of 97 fundraisers, of which 57 were for his Bush-Cheney reelection campaign and the rest for the Republican National Committee." (Paul Bedard, "Obama's Numbers: Vacations 16, Golf 90, Fundraisers 100," Washington Examiner, 3/1/12)

And Obama Has Held More Fundraisers Than Bush In 2004, Often Working Fundraising Events Into His Official Presidential Trips . "Mr. Obama has held more than a hundred joint fund-raisers since last spring, far more than President George W. Bush during his 2004 re-election, and has tucked fund-raising stops into many of his official presidential trips." (Nicholas Confessore and Derek Willis, "Obama Sees Steep Dropoff In Cash From Major Donors," The New York Times, 4/20/12)

WHILE IT'S BEEN JUST ANOTHER YEAR FOR OBAMA, IT'S BEEN ANOTHER YEAR OF MALAISE FOR AMERICANS

Since Obama's Last Birthday, Each American's Share Of The National Debt Has Increased From $47,174.67 To $51,521.84, An Increase Of $4,347.17 (Or An Increase Of Nearly 10 Percent). (U.S. Treasury Department Accessed 8/3/12; U.S. Census Bureau, Accessed 8/3/12)

Since Obama's Last Birthday, The Credit Rating Of The U.S. Was Downgraded From AAA To AA+. (Press Release, "United States Of American Long-Term Rating Lowered To 'AA+' Due To political Risks, Rising Standard & Poor's, 8/5/11)

Since Obama's Last Birthday, Not A Single New Member Of Congress Has Voted For His Annual Budget, Bringing The Total Count Of Obama Budget Supporters On Either Side Of The Aisle To 0. (S. Con. Res. 41, Vote #97: Failed 0-99: R 0-46; D 0-51; I 0-2, 5/16/12)

Since Obama's Last Birthday, His Democrat Senate Has Not Passed A New Budget, Making It The Third Consecutive Year Without Having Passed One. "For a third straight year, Senate Democrats refused to offer a budget resolution of their own - opening themselves to criticism that they're dodging tough decisions in an election year." (Scott Wong, "Senate Games: Every Budget Goes Down," Politico, 5/16/12)